Meanwhile, Gu Yuan stood on the snow, warily eyeing the man before him.The man wore a lightning-patterned daoist robe, his face older with ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) a short, thick beard, and a half-height great axe slung over his back.From his attire and bearing, he must be an Elder of Thunder Cliff.Gu Yuan made a rough inference, then spoke with neither deference nor arrogance, “I am Gu Yuan of the Fire-Gold Sect. Elder, how may I serve you?”“Gu Yuan? You are the Phoenix Star of the Fire-Gold Sect? Indeed, you bear a striking resemblance.”The Thunder Cliff Elder studied Gu Yuan, stroking his beard. Then he added, “My name is Fu Zishi. Fate brings us together—shall we travel together?”Fu Zishi looked at Gu Yuan sincerely.Gu Yuan feigned thought, then asked Master Mo silently, ‘Should I accept?’‘Use your judgment. Trust your choice,’ came Mo’s reply.Gu Yuan thought it over. The Fire-Gold Sect and Thunder Cliff were not on friendly terms, so he need not accompany Fu Zishi—but Fu Zishi seemed earnest, so perhaps he could give it a try.With that, Gu Yuan cupped his hands and said courteously, “Since Elder Fu extends such an invitation, I gratefully accept.”“Ha ha ha—Young Friend Gu, you are truly carefree to travel with this old Thunder Cliff Elder,” Fu Zishi laughed heartily.“If your intentions are benign, I will repay you with courtesy; if malicious, I will show no mercy,” Gu Yuan added frankly.“Of course, of course— a true gentleman should speak so,” Fu Zishi agreed.“Then let us head toward the blue moon,” Gu Yuan proposed.“As you wish, Young Friend Gu.”So they traveled together, chatting and laughing as if at ease—yet neither heart was truly at peace.Gu Yuan remained on guard, ready to unleash his Howl Nine Heavens at the first sign of betrayal.And in Fu Zishi’s eyes lurked a barely perceptible shadow—should danger strike, he planned to turn on Gu Yuan at the opportune moment, felling him with a single axe blow. If he could not walk the path with him, Fu Zishi would follow in secret and attempt assassination for the promised reward.…Outside the secret realm, it was a scene of fervent activity.Countless cultivators surged toward the entrance like a tidal wave, swift and unstoppable.The three Nascent Soul sect masters floating above made no move—time had come.Within the realm, the ever-hanging crescent moon made tracking time difficult, but in truth, a full day had passed.Thus the three sects lifted their blockade, allowing the Foundation and Core Formation practitioners to flood in.Above, the sun drifted, its rays bathing the land more directly.Another hour slipped by.Now the last would-be entrant stepped through the gate.With his entry, the three sect masters merely exchanged glances—no words, no actions.Suddenly Luo Tiangan’s expression shifted; the Thunder Cliff Elder and the Mysterious Yin Sect Master mirrored him.Their gaze turned to the realm’s entrance.Where the path had been clear, a thick sheet of ice now sealed the gate once more.More than that—dozens of images floated on the ice:Scenes of the three sects’ disciples battling one another, each suffering losses. The footage of Fang Qing slaying the young couple, of Fu Zishi’s deceit and back-stab, appeared prominently. There were images of Lei Fei, Ren Yongnian, Luo Hong, Zhang Mu killing the other sects’ disciples as well.Luo Tiangan glanced at the other two masters, then spoke in a low voice, “This secret realm is flawed.”The ancient-looking Mysterious Yin Sect Master nodded, “Indeed. It may even be designed against us.”But the burly Thunder Cliff Master Lei Ping laughed, “Who knows? Perhaps someone secretly made their disciples strike at the others!”“Lei Ping, if you suspect treachery, speak plainly,” Luo Tiangan retorted.Lei Ping chuckled, drew a translucent spear, and pointed it at Luo Tiangan.Luo Tiangan responded in kind, hurling an orange-red fireball at Lei Ping’s face.A flash of lightning scattered the fireball. Lei Ping closed in, spear flashing.Luo Tiangan drew his great horse-slaying blade; his left hand flared with crimson flame, and the two masters clashed.The Mysterious Yin Sect Master silently retreated several thousand meters, unwilling to intervene.…Meanwhile, inside the secret realm, something unexpected occurred.“I am the Secret Realm Consciousness, chosen by my Lord Snow-Drifting Immortal to select a successor. Now that all have arrived, the inheritance officially begins!”“Under the blue moon stands an Ice Palace. Those who reach it will earn the right to inherit!”“Within this realm, survival of the fittest applies. All storage rings will be forcibly unlocked!”“Furthermore, a few ice-attribute beasts roam within. Slay them, and you will claim the precious treasures stored in their bellies!”“Treasure automatically bonds with the slayer. Should its owner die, the treasure becomes unclaimed.”“In addition, certain ice huts contain pills, talismans, formation diagrams, and materials.”“So—slaughter at will! Only the strong may receive my Lord’s inheritance!”The deafening proclamation echoed in every cultivator’s ears, declaring the rules of this space—and heralding:The secret realm’s true opening!

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